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The sitting room of the Demeter Familia was filled with the fragrance of tea, mingled with the scent of flowers drifting in from the courtyard. The soothing aroma made it almost impossible not to relax.
Demeter sat on the sofa with a cup of black tea in her hand. Her expression was calm, but a hint of scrutiny lingered in her eyes.
Astraea sat beside her, also holding a cup of tea. Her gaze repeatedly drifted toward Artemis, as though quietly studying her.
Artemis sat across from them with her back perfectly straight and her hands resting upon her knees. Her posture was dignified, but her slightly curled fingers betrayed her nervousness.
She didn't know why she felt so anxious.
Whenever Demeter and Astraea looked at her, however, an inexplicable sense of guilt rose inside her.
It felt almost as though she were meeting her boyfriend's family for the first time.
The thought startled her. A blush crept across her cheeks, and she hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to study the tea leaves in her cup.
"So, you want to take Genichi to the Great Forest to fight Antares?"
Demeter's voice was soft, but there was a deeper meaning behind her words.
Artemis raised her head and met Demeter's gaze.
There was no visible emotion in those eyes. Demeter merely watched her calmly, yet Artemis felt as though that gaze could see through every secret she possessed.
She gritted her teeth and nodded.
"Yes. I'm terribly sorry, Demeter, but I need to borrow the strength of your Familia to kill Antares."
She didn't mention that her true body had already been devoured by the scorpion.
It wasn't that she didn't want to tell them.
She simply didn't dare.
Artemis feared that if Demeter learned the truth, if she discovered that they would be facing a terrifying monster capable of sealing even a god, she would never allow Genichi to accompany her.
Artemis needed him.
She needed the Arrow of Orion in his hands, and she needed his power.
He was her only hope and her final gamble.
What Artemis didn't know was that Demeter and Astraea already knew everything.
Every detail and every stage of the incident had unfolded beneath their watchful eyes.
They knew Artemis was hiding the truth. They knew she was afraid and worried that they might refuse her request.
But neither of them exposed her deception.
Genichi had specifically told them not to.
Artemis's guilt was the key to obtaining her divine authority.
The guiltier she felt, the more grateful she became, and the more she depended on him, the easier it would be to win her over.
By the time she discovered the truth, she would already be in too deep to escape.
Artemis lowered her head, guilt filling her heart.
She felt as though she were deceiving Demeter, taking advantage of Astraea, and pushing Genichi into danger.
But she had no other choice.
She couldn't stand by and watch Antares use her power to bring disaster upon the Lower World. She couldn't allow more people to die or more families to be torn apart.
She had to stop it, no matter what methods she was forced to use.
"We can allow Genichi to accompany you to the Great Forest."
Demeter's voice broke the silence.
"But we have one condition."
Artemis raised her head, hope flashing in her eyes.
"What condition?"
"We're coming with you."
Demeter and Astraea spoke simultaneously. Their voices were calm, but their determination left no room for argument.
Artemis's expression froze.
She looked from Demeter to Astraea. Her mouth opened as she tried to respond, but no words came out.
They wanted to come too?
They intended to enter the Great Forest and face Antares?
Did they understand how dangerous it was?
Did they realize that even she, a goddess, had been sealed?
Did they know that they might never return?
"No."
Artemis spoke urgently.
"It's too dangerous. Antares isn't an ordinary monster. It can seal even gods. If you go, your lives may be in danger."
Demeter looked at her, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.
"Of course, we'll be bringing the entire Astraea Familia with us."
Astraea calmly continued.
"After all, defeating Antares might be difficult for Genichi on his own, wouldn't it?"
Artemis fell silent.
She knew Astraea was right.
Genichi was powerful. He had drawn the Arrow of Orion, and some formidable power resided within him, but he was still only a Level 6 adventurer.
Antares was capable of sealing even a god. Sending Genichi alone would be far too dangerous.
With Demeter and Astraea accompanying him, along with the support of the entire Astraea Familia, their chances of victory would be much greater.
"But..."
Artemis tried to object again, but Demeter interrupted her.
"That's enough, Artemis."
Demeter's voice was soft, yet every word carried undeniable weight.
"Genichi is one of my children. His affairs are my affairs. I won't stop him from taking risks, but I also won't allow him to face them alone. Do you understand?"
Artemis stared at her, complicated emotions filling her silver eyes.
Of course she understood what Demeter meant.
She cared about Genichi. She was concerned for him and refused to let him face danger alone.
Artemis didn't understand that kind of affection, but she could feel its warmth and tenderness.
It was something to envy.
"All right."
Artemis finally nodded. Her voice carried relief, resignation, and an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
With Demeter and Astraea beside her, along with the entire Astraea Familia, she wouldn't have to confront Antares alone.
She wasn't alone anymore.
Demeter smiled gently, like a spring breeze.
Astraea smiled as well, faint and soothing like summer rain.
The two exchanged glances, each seeing satisfaction in the other's eyes.
Artemis had taken the bait.
Genichi's plan had moved another step forward.
"When should we leave?" Demeter asked.
Artemis considered the question for a moment.
"Tomorrow, then," Demeter decided. "We'll use today to prepare and depart first thing in the morning."
Artemis rose to her feet.
"Thank you."
Demeter waved dismissively.
"There's no need to thank us. We're friends."
"I... I should go make my preparations."
Artemis turned and headed for the door.
Her steps were unusually hurried, almost as though she were trying to escape from something.
When she reached the doorway, she stopped and glanced back at Demeter.
"Demeter, thank you."
Demeter smiled.
"Go on."
Artemis opened the door and left.
Silence returned to the sitting room.
Demeter stared at the closed door, the corner of her mouth curving upward.
"Artemis took the bait more easily than I expected."
Astraea raised her cup and took a delicate sip.
"She's too lonely. Lonely people are always the easiest to move."
Demeter nodded.
"Genichi anticipated that."
The two goddesses fell silent.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting their shadows across the floor, where they overlapped as one.
(End of Chapter)
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